Blakely, Joel R.

BLAKELY, FRIZZELL, BORUM, FOLTZ, MCLAIN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/11/2009 at 10:44:08

Joel R. Blakely

The life of this honored citizen of Jasper County furnishes an example of what may be accomplished by persistence, sagacity and industry. His career, in its practical results, is an encouragement to every struggling young man who has ambition, resolution and a genius for hard work. Although many years have come and gone since, mourned by all, he departed this life, his name has not been forgotten. His memory is still green in the hearts of his companions of days gone by, and the knowledge of his honorable life is an incentive to the young people, by whom be was personally unknown.

At the time of his demise, Mr. Blakely was the owner of one hundred and eighteen acres of land, located in Palo Alto Township. He was a native of Ohio, having been born in Knox County on the 29th of January 1830, to the union of Hugh and Catherine Blakely. He was reared to a sturdy manhood amid rural scenes in the Buckeye State, and received his education in the pioneer schools of the district. On the 30th of December 1852, Mr. Blakely was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Frizzell, who was born in Knox County, Ohio, January 27, 1834. She was a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Borum) Frizzell, natives of Maryland, the former having been a brave soldier in the War of 1812. Mrs. Blakely was reared and married in Knox County. Though in girlhood she had few advantages, she is a cultured lady, having availed herself of every opportunity for acquiring knowledge.

Seven children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Blakely, of whom five survive, namely: Sanford O., James H., Alice M., who is the wife of Isaiah Foltz, Silas F., and Luella, who married C. O. McLain. Of the children born to the parents of Mrs. Blakely six now survive: James, John, Catherine, Mary, Anna and Elizabeth. In 1854 Mr. Blakely, accompanied by his wife and child, migrated to Iowa and settled in Muscatine County, where he sojourned for three years. From there he moved to Cedar County, Iowa, where he engaged in farming pursuits for a number of years.

Coming to Jasper County in 1867, Mr. Blakely settled on the farm where his widow now resides. Upon the attractive homestead he there established, he remained, engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred June 18,1875. Throughout this community he gained the reputation of being a man of strict integrity and the utmost probity. In his relations with his fellow-citizens, he was considerate, thoughtful and kind, ever willing to help those in need and encourage those in distress. In his domestic relations he was especially tender, affectionate and devoted, and his death, though deeply mourned by all who knew him, fell with the heaviest shock upon his wife and children.

A Republican in his political affiliations, Mr. Blakely was a stanch advocate of that political organization, and contributed liberally of his time and means to the promotion of every project calculated to benefit the community. In his township and county he occupied a number of important positions. He served as Trustee of Palo Alto Township, and also filled the position of Justice of the Peace. In him the cause of education had a friend, stanch and true. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and of him it may truthfully be said that he led a sincere, exemplary Christian life. His widow is also identified with the Methodist Church, and is highly regarded by all who know her. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper,
Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 288.